Continuing the trend of up and down fluctuations, average retail gasoline prices in Modesto have fallen 9.2 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.22/gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 201 gas outlets in Modesto. This compares with the national average that has fallen 5.4 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.60/gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Amy Craig, Oakdale's Distinguished Young Woman, competed in the Distinguished Young Women of California Class of 2016 State Finals along with 29 other accomplished high school seniors in Bakersfield on July 24 and 25. Amy placed among the top three candidates in the Fitness category earning a $1,000 scholarship award. She was also selected by her fellow candidates for one of three Spirit Awards earning an additional $500 scholarship award.

Much of Susan Dyke's job as Oakdale Joint Unified School District Chief Business Officer was under the microscope in the 2014-2015 school year. As the 'keeper of the books' so to speak, the numbers cruncher and the Administrator in charge of the projected budget much was spoken about a reserve, which was believed to be too high during contract negotiations.

Classrooms have been moved, new staff has been orientated and pencils have been sharpened as the Oakdale Joint Unified School District anticipates the first day of school on Thursday, Aug.6. The first school bells will ring promptly at 7:40 a.m. Thursday morning at East Stanislaus, Oakdale Junior High and Oakdale High School.

The 2015 Fresno Food Expo, presented by Union Bank, celebrated its fifth anniversary on Thursday, July 23 when 121 food and beverage companies ranging from producers and growers to manufacturers and processors from throughout the eight-county San Joaquin Valley met with 917 pre-qualified regional, national and international foodservice and retail buyers, restaurant chefs and institutions, as well as more than 1,100 members of the public looking to support local business.

To hear the daughter and good friend of murder suspect Roque Palomino, 53, murdering his wife of 27 years, Cynthia D. Palomino, 49, would be one of the last things they thought would have ever occurred.

Two wildfires, Willow Fire in Madera County and Cabin Fire in Tulare County, have prompted local air officials to issue a health cautionary statement for smoke impacts throughout the eight-county air basin: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and the Valley portion of Kern counties. Currently smoke impacts are concentrated in the mountainous and foothill areas of the air basin, but impacts on the Valley floor are possible until the fires are extinguished.